Parker Wrestler Rape Hearing Begins

The juvenile court proceedings for a former state wrestling champion are underway in Parker.

17-year-old Jerome Hunt is charged with rape and attempted rape; accused of sexually abusing teammates on the mat last season.

Hunt's lawyer Mike Butler says if Jerome Hunt's fingers penetrated anyone's rectum, it was accidental while applying a legitimate wrestling move called a "butt drag." But the victims say it wasn't a move; Hunt was hazing them by doing something called "checking the oil."

One former teammate testified that during Jerome Hunt's state championship wrestling season, Hunt touched him in a way he didn't like more than 20 times.

The boy says it usually happened before practice, while wrestlers goofed around until coaches arrived. He testified that it started with Hunt and another wrestler jumping on top of him.

"I end up on my back," he said. "All of a sudden Jerome says, 'Hold him down. Hold him down.' And then he inserted his finger in my rear end."

The boy says that wasn't a wrestling move, because wrestling moves are not performed by more than one person.

This victim testified he kicked and screamed each time it happened, and Hunt said not to tell anyone or he'll do it even worse.

In cross-examination, Hunt's lawyer Mike Butler pointed out inconsistencies between the victim's testimony and earlier statements to investigators. The boy admitted he didn't remember until recently that Hunt threatened him not to tell anyone. He says he had blocked out much of what happened.

None of the victims reported anything until last July, following a trip to wrestling camp filled with hazing. Click on the link below to view that story.

Hunt's court hearing will resume is scheduled to last the rest of the week.